209: The Launch Path: Transforming Ideas into Impactful Ventures with Bret Waters

Sophie Alcorn Podcast

Bret Waters has been in Silicon Valley his entire career as an entrepreneur, CEO, academic, and investor. Today he teaches entrepreneurship at Stanford, coaches startup CEO’s at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and gives talks around the world on the democratization of entrepreneurship. He is the author of a new book, The Launch Path: Getting from a startup idea to a launched venture.

Explore the evolving landscape of startup financing and alternative funding models as Bret discusses the current state of IPO and M&A markets. He provides insights into the importance of running capital-efficient businesses in today's economic environment and highlights revenue-based financing as a flexible alternative to traditional venture capital. Bret underscores the need for innovative financing structures that support smaller but profitable businesses, which often fall outside the typical Silicon Valley expectations.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The importance of customer engagement before product development.

• Exploration of revenue-based financing as an alternative to traditional venture capital.

• Insight into the impact of economic and regulatory changes on startup financing.

• Cultural differences in embracing failure and their effect on entrepreneurship.

• Challenges faced by global entrepreneurs, including navigating funding stages.

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Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretwaters/

Website - bretwaters.com

thelaunchpath.com

https://www.momtestbook.com/

https://www.millersocent.org/accelerator/

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